Free Late 50's Maytag Dryer

[qsd-dan]

Unsure of the model (too lazy to look it up) but I'm pretty sure this is a late 50's model since the console has the bronze color paint. Not sure how the interior of a gas HOH dryer operated over 60 years isn't a total rust bucket unless the owner lit the pilot before each use. At minimum, it's a good machine for spare parts, particularly the gas related ones.

"This dryer has served my family flawlessly for almost 70 years. The quality of construction is incredible and formed the basis for the reputation of the Maytag company. It is so simple, just a timer and heat."

https://sandiego.craigslist.org/ssd/zip/d/coronado-vintage-maytag-gas-dryer/7479447299.html

 

[maytag85]

Hmm, maybe a trip to San Diego this weekend . If it’s free why not!

 

[maytag85]

I actually think this is a good candidate for a restoration, appears have little rust inside which is a indication that the pilot was only lit when someone was going to dry a load of laundry in it. Definitely will need a electronic ignition conversion if one want to use it as a daily driver without having to light the pilot every time and turn the pilot off as soon as you are done doing laundry for the day.

 

[tomturbomatic]

As you can see from the picture, these Highlanders had galvanized drums early in the model run and needed recoating after years of use had a tendency to rub the zinc off down to the steel. Hopefully, this one will not. The worst thing was Maytag's use of the old wider cabinet for the smaller drum of the HOH design. I wonder if the contact paper on the top of the cabinet hints at finish failure.

 

[maytag85]

Reply #3

That contact paper was probably put there to protect the finish of the painted surface. Sure, Maytag Highlander dryers may have seem like they were cheaply made since they were only painted along with having a galvanized drum, but survived and stood the test of time better than their arch rival Whirlpool dryers since a majority of those Whirlpool dryers were junked a long time ago. Plus those Whirlpool dryers were quite noisy in operation since they sound like a loud fan that’s in operation while these HOH dryers are almost nearly silent in operation, about the only thing you’ll hear on a HOH dryer is the faint sound of clothes tumbling around inside of it along with the burner cycling on and off on the gas models.

 

[tomturbomatic]

Automotive wax or Jubilee Polish or a Rubbermaid stove/counter protector would protect the painted surface well. Maytag, just like Kitchen Aid with their dishwashers, sure made you realized that you were purchasing a low end model and frankly, I have not seen that many really old Highlander dryers, gas or electric. Maytag washers were a stronger product than their dryers after they went from the highly rated perforated drum models to the HOH models and many with the aluminum blower had durability problems, but Maytag had to use their aluminum foundry, especially after so many fewer Masters with the square tub and lid were being made.

 

[maytag85]

Reply #5

How was the air flow on those older Maytag dryers before the HOH dryers? I’ve heard of people putting felt strips around the heat inlet to be sure it made it’s way to the drum without bypassing it just like how you mentioned about putting felt strips around the heat inlet on the older Whirlpool dryers with the perforated drum back built before 1965.

 

[tomturbomatic]

The pre-HOH dryers had the heating element in the space between the perforated tumbler drum and the outer drum. The heat and airflow were like the original Hamilton, GE and so many other early dryers. There was no need to worry about directing the air flow like in a perforated back WP-made dryer.

 

[maytag85]

Just emailed the seller. Waiting to hear back. Was going to do it yesterday but ended up getting sidetracked since I was busy yesterday.

 

[maytag85]

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